Monday, December 30, 2013

the year that was...

And as the year draws to close...
I will do my annual 'rear-view mirror' post once again.




January ~ we enjoyed the beauty of our local hills blanketed in snow.



February ~ a tour which included the 'highlights of Shanghai' 


March - the delights of spring and Easter

 

April - tulips of the valley



 
May - Mennonite Girls Can Cook Celebrations book launch





June - celebrating my dad on Father's Day


July - Canada day, camping with the grands, and a few final walks through Minter Gardens.

 

August - an RV road trip that took us across the US to the east coast...and a memorable time in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

 

September - harvesting the last crops of grass for this year on 'the green, green fields of home'!



October - continuing the road trip where we left off...down the Blue Ridge Parkway...west to California...


 

November - ...and back home again.


December - Christmas...a time to celebrate with family...
and to send greetings to friends near and far.

Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you...
my blogging friends...
who I have so enjoyed 'visiting' with this past year.

You have inspired and encouraged me...
made me smile...
and sometimes shed a tear...
introduced me to new things...
reminded me of old things...
and had me thinking about different things.

I thank you all for your friendship...
and wish you much joy in 2014!
 
 

15 comments:

  1. What a lovely year! All best wishes for a peaceful and happy 2014.

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  2. All those things I could say of you and more! Oh my! Beautiful review. And as beautiful as your photography is, my very favorite is of you and Elmer with all the grands. What a lovely group of people! And I also note how the cousins lean into each other, even put an arm around another...it shows how they feel. A very happy New Year to you and all of yours!

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  3. A most lovely look in the rear view mirror. Your photos are all so gorgeous. The shot of the tulips is amazing. Although, I must agree with Vee. The photo of you and Elmer with the grands is the most lovely of them all.
    I am reminded once again that it was you and your blog who inspired our trip to BC this year... a definite highlight for us.
    Happy New Year.

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  4. What a wonderful review of 2013! I wanted to say exactly what Vee expressed - "all those things ... and more" about your blog Judy. You have inspired me on so many levels and I so appreciate the way you celebrate life!!! Happy New Year to you and yours and may 2014 be filled with health and happiness.

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  5. What an amazing year Judy! Far flung adventures and close to home cozy time. Best of what earth has to offer I think. Blessings in 2014

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  6. Love your recap, Judy! Praying for God's blessings in 2014 for you and your family!

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  7. Lots of great memories were made this year. Love those sweet grandchildren photos. May 2014 be filled with God's good gifts.

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  8. Beautiful year in review Judy! Your life was well lived and you had so many wonderful adventures. Thank you for taking us all along!

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  9. It is surprising what has all transpired when we take the time to remember. Was that trip to China only this year? That seems like a long time ago! I was also going through pictures of the year that was that was and wondered what it would be like to see the year that is coming with pre-views. Maybe it's good that we can't see what is ahead, but we can trust the faithfulness of Him who does not change.
    Wishing you a truly happy New Year!

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  10. It's fun to see how your life has unfolded in the last year. I'm thankful for the treasures of friendship that we share and I was so sad that I did not see the "Stairs" posted.
    Maybe we can challenge our selves in the New Year.
    I look forward to sharing some new anticipated events with you again.

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  11. Such LOVELY photos... a beautiful glimpse of your past year.

    Wishing you the happiest of new years... and many blessings for joy, grace and contentment.

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  12. You certainly have had quite an eventful year Judy! I wish you all God's best as this new year unfolds and, as I see in your latest post, you are taking a leave of absence from blogging so I wish you all the best in whatever comes you way in the next while. I hope you will be back soon and please know I will miss my visits to your front porch! Blessings to you and yours my friend. Pam

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  13. What a great way to end the year! Magical moments! Blessings as you make more in 2014!

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  14. Beautifully done! You had a very full year, Judy, and I hope that 2014 will bring you good health, much happiness and many more blessings!

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  15. It looks like you had and absolutely fabulous year of travel! I am guessing by the last post date you are off on another adventure. I can picture you now in some place wonderfully tropical. Your clan looks as beautiful as always, but growing up so fast. The years are flying by. I am catching up briefly on a few of my all time favorite bloggers. Yours was always at the top of my list! Blessings!

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson